Compare Empire Builder Epic by Bicycle Adventures vs Sunsets & Southern Charms by Tours of Distinction
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 10 days | 5 days |
| Price From | $ 3,974 | $ 1,579 |
| Price Per Day | $ 397 | $ 316 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Group tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Basic | Premium |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Airfare included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included | N/A |
4 Breakfasts, 4 Dinners |
| Description |
Winner of a National Geographic Adventures '50 Tours of a Lifetime' Award! From Seattle, Washington to East Glacier National Park, Montana, this Epic trip combines portions of three of our favorite tours - the Washington Epic, Idaho's Selkirk Loop and a chunk of the Glacier National Park tours – spinning through three states and finishing with a one-of-a-kind train ride. Take on the Cascade, Selkirk and even the Rocky Mountain ranges as you spin through this 600-mile, 10-day extravaganza. On arrival in Whitefish, Montana, hop aboard Amtrak's Empire Builder train, with private sleeping cars - and head right on back to Seattle. |
Experience the charms of the South by horse and carriage, tour the only tea plantation in North America, see pristine Antebellum Mansions up close, shop in markets that date to 1700s… and dine on unforgettable Low Country cuisine…these are all the ingredients for an unforgettable trip! |
DAY 1: Meet in Seattle. Ride from Snohomish to Arlington to Marblemount, on the fringe of the Cascade Range.
Meet us in Seattle (or at Bicycle Adventures' World Headquarters). We'll skip the traffic and shuttle north to a bakery in Snohomish, head to the railroad town of Arlington, then bicycle a relatively flat route through northern Washington to tiny Marblemount, at the base of the Cascade Mountains.
DAY 2: Up and over the Cascades.
Today's ride features 5,000 feet of climbing, over gorgeous Washington Pass and into Washington's Wild West - the Mazama / Winthrop area. You'll do a 50-mile gradual climb on the North Cascades Scenic Loop and cruise through Ross Lake National Recreation Area. Finish off with a 25-mile descent into Mazama.
DAY 3: Ride into the heartland - from Mazama to Omak, through the oldest wildlife area in Washington State.
Today's route has about half the elevation gain - 2,500 feet - and lands in Omak, nestled just below the Canadian border on the Okanagan River. From Mazama, ride through part of the Okanagan National Forest and skirt the Sinlahekin Wildlife Area, a nearly 19,000-acre park that was originally a mule deer preserve. Cedar and fir give way way to scattered pine, sagebrush and wide open prairie.
DAY 4: Omak, Washington to Colville: 4,000 feet of climbing
As you head toward the Selkirks, you'll begin to leave the prairie behind and pedal up into stands of Ponderosa pine and aspen. Watch for white-tailed deer, moose and blue grouse! Today's route winds through the Sherman Creek Wildlife Area and across Lake Roosevelt, formed by the Grand Coulee Dam. Ride through Kettle Falls, a former rendezvous point and fishing grounds for the Yakama, Nez Perce, Flathead and Blackfeet tribes (to name a few), whose seasonal salmon catches would net up to 3,000 fish per day! Spend tonight in Colville, a one-time trading center for the Upper Columbia region.
DAY 5: Ride from Colville to gorgeous Sand Point, Idaho, on the shores of Lake Pend Oreille
DAY 6: Stay put in Sand Point: ride, hike, fly-fish, golf, go rock-climbing…you get the idea.
...or take a 10-mile ride (climb) up to Schweitzer Ski Resort, Idaho's second largest. Surrounded by the Selkirk, Cabinet and Bitterroot ranges, Sandpoint is a fun-loving mountain town hugging the shores of sparkling Lake Pend Oreille. Ride, hike, play golf, go fly-fishing or rock-climbing - take your pick.
DAY 7: Back on the road - 104 miles across the panhandle to Libby, Montana.
DAY 8: Libby to Whitefish, Montana, gateway to Glacier National Park.
DAY 9: East Glacier National Park: Going-to-the-Sun Road is the perfect finale ride. And oh, yeah, you've got a train to catch.
Today, ride 83 miles over the Continental Divide - the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road, Logan Pass - into East Glacier. If you haven't ridden Logan Pass, highest point in Glacier National Park, you're in for a treat. From its beginnings at Lake McDonald, the road gently climbs higher and higher as the views unfold: alpine meadows and lakes, peaks skirted by fields of wildflowers and washed by waterfalls, the occasional bighorn sheep or mountain goat. Utterly spectacular. You've got a 6:00 pm train to catch, though, so sorry...no dawdling!
DAY 10: Wake up on the train. Watch the scenery spin past as you head back to Seattle. We'll miss you!
Having caught the train on Sunday evening, you'll have spent the evening in the dining car, reminiscing and relaxing, and retire to your private sleeper car. Wake up on Monday morning, have breakfast (still on the train) and arrive in Seattle at about 10:30 am for your return trip home.
Day 1 - Arrive Charleston, SC
Today, depart on a journey south to enjoy a taste of southern hospitality. See the beautiful architecture and history that Charleston and Savannah are known for, and take in some beautiful southern sunsets! Transfer to the airport for your flight to Columbia Metropolitan Airport. Upon arrival in Charleston, we check into our hotel for the next two nights, the Hotel Indigo Mount Pleasant. Tonight, dinner is included at Hyman’s Seafood Restaurant. (D)
Day 2 - Charleston
Today, after breakfast at the hotel, we embark on a guided tour of Charleston, one of the most beautiful and historic cities in the south. Admire the beautiful architecture of the historic buildings and colorful houses throughout the city. The tour will conclude at the Charleston City Market to enjoy some free time and lunch on own. This afternoon, we will travel to Wadmalaw Island, where we enjoy a guided tour at the beautiful Charleston Tea Plantation, then we make a stop at the Deep Water Vineyard. While here, we enjoy a wine tasting of 9 different wines. After, it’s back to Charleston, where we will board The Spirit of Carolina for a dinner cruise! (B, D)
Day 3 - Savannah, GA
After breakfast, we’re off and out again, making our way to Beaufort, SC! Historic Beaufort, was founded in 1711, and stands strong as a living landmark, handcrafted from the storied history of the south. We will enjoy a horse drawn carriage tour of Beaufort, have time for lunch and to do some shopping before resuming our journey south to Savannah, GA. We check into the Hotel Indigo Savannah Historic District, before dinner at Belford’s Seafood & Steak. (B, D)
Day 4 - Savannah
This morning, we meet our guide following breakfast for a full day of touring. Our travels include a visit to the Andrew Low House, former home of Juliette Magill Gordon Low, the founder of the Girl Scouts of America, and Andrew Low himself. This afternoon, we stop at the Savannah City Market for lunch, on own, before our tour to the Atlantic Low Country and Tybee Island. This evening’s dinner is included at the Crab Shack on Tybee Island, followed by a relaxing sunset dolphin cruise. What a way to complete this wonderful tour!
(B, D)
Day 5 - Depart Savannah
Breakfast is included this morning, before we start making our way home and say our farewells to Georgia & South Carolina. We will be dropped off by our motor-coach at the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport for the flight home. (B)
